About Us
TAGALONG TOURS is owned and operated by Cathy Wharton from her home base in Cairns, which is in Far North Queensland, Australia.
Cathy was raised on a north Queensland cattle station in close association with the aboriginal people of the area. In my early 20’s I travelled throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Africa and Europe. Has sailed throughout the South Pacific including the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. These journeys fuelled her interest in exploring my own country and learning more about its Aboriginal culture and ultimately encouraged her to share her enthusiasm and knowledge with others as a tour guide. With this enthusiasm for travel, and with over 30 years’ experience in the local tourism industry, Cathy and her team of North West Australian Safari, Tagalong Tours of Australia and Kinrara guides deliver unique tours of an exceptional standard to clients from the domestic and international markets including small groups, VIP’s and private or exclusive charters.
Cathy has guided tours in many diverse Australian landscapes including the Australian Outback and Cape York Peninsula, Arnhem Land, Uluru (Ayers Rock), The Deserts of Western Australia, and the Daintree rainforest, considered one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet.
Cathy has Wet Tropics World Heritage Tour Guide Accreditation and a Certificate IV in Tourism Guiding. Has also been awarded the ‘Cairns Tourism Association’s KAMSLER Award ‘Promoting Excellence in Tourism’, and I also hold Senior First Aid and CPR Certificates, a Medium Rigid Driver’s License, Queensland Drivers Accreditation and an Australian government-issued Blue Card for working with young people.
“My team and I strive to leave our clients with lasting memories and a desire to experience more of our great country – Australia.”
The dedicated staff at Tagalong Tours are all trained in Senior First Aid and CPR. They have extensive knowledge of the Australian landscape, its flora and its fauna, as well as indigenous cultures. This ensures your trip will not only be fun and exciting but will also be an interesting and memorable experience.
You can be sure that your adventure will be of the highest quality and standard.
Tagalong Tours of Australia is a:
- Queensland Transport Accredited Operator
- Fully licensed Commercial Tour Operator with the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management
- Fully licensed Commercial Tour Operator with the New South Wales Department of Environment & Heritage
- Fully licensed Commercial Tour Operator with the South Australian Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Fully licensed Commercial Tour Operator with the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport
- Fully licensed Commercial Tour Operator with the Western Australian Department of Parks & Wildlife
- Member of Caravanning Queensland
- Member of Cape York Sustainable Futures
- Member of Outback Queensland Tourism Association
- Member of Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Customer Testimonials
Thanks for allowing us to enjoy the Top End with you. Couldn’t think of a better way for newbies to be introduced to such a wonderful piece of Australia.
Ezio & Luisa, Springvale VIC
Thank you, we had a great time. Glad we got to the top with you.
Shayne & Nancy, Cloverdale WA
Thanks for a very memorable experience and getting us to the Cape and back. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Bob & Fay, Strathfieldsaye VIC
This trip to the Cape was more than we expected. The local history you exposed us to has deepened our appreciation for our pioneers. Keep enjoying your work and adventures.
Angelo & Michelle, Russell Lea NSW
Thanks for getting our old Troopie through the OTT to the Tip. Your knowledge of the Cape and your many stories made it an adventure we’ll remember for a long time.
Matt & Natalie, Barrack Point NSW
Thanks Paul for the experience of a lifetime. Looking forward to the next trip with you.
Mal & Pauline, Ngunnawal ACT
Thanks for letting us explore the last frontier of Australia.
Renato & Maria, Hallam VIC
Thank you for the wonderful trip and thank you for the enjoyment of seeing our great country.
Ken & Peggy, Lalor VIC
What an awesome way to see an amazing part of our great country. A tagalong tour took us to some amazing places and we have met some amazing people and seen many places of interest. Thanks so much, this is a memory we will treasure forever.
Rob & Liz, Stanhope VIC
Thanks again for a great trip and your company during the trip. It was fantastic and I will be recommending you to anyone that is considering doing a similar trip.
Peter & Kaylene, Melton VIC
We would like to thank you for a fantastic trip. Your passion for the country as well as your experience and knowledge turned the trip into an unforgettable experience. We had a ball.
Mike & Maxine, Birkdale QLD
Thank you for a great trip. We will certainly be recommending you to others. We will be checking on your website for others in the future. Thank you so much for your time, patience, and proficient service you gave us while on tour.
Dave & Debbie, Armidale NSW
Thanks again for a most AWESOME adventure. All of us had a great time, and are constantly talking through our memories together, and with other people. Your passion for the Cape, your ability in keeping us safe, enthused, confident and motivated as well as extremely well fed, was so much appreciated. 10/10 !! Thanks for sharing your life and the Cape York adventure with us. Joining with you on the August 2010 Cape York tour was one of most definite highlights of our whole trip around Australia – and we would (and already have) recommend it to everyone. If you going to ‘do’ Cape York, you have to ‘do’ it with Tagalong Tours!! Cameron is still raving about the swim at Eliot Falls. I have a whole new appreciation of the word “interesting” – which now brings up memories of challenging and exciting creek crossings.
Cameron & Angela & family, Jindabyne NSW
We’re back in The Netherlands after some very good days in Sydney. Being back in school/work it feels as if it was ages ago that we travelled to Cape York. We had such a good time and we cherish our memories. Thanks again for this great experience.
Leo & Charlotte & family, The Netherlands
Thanks for a great trip.
Wayne & Liz, Geraldton WA
Thank you for our time away, we did enjoy ourselves. We are planning to head up that way in a couple of years to do it again.
Rick & Jenny, Canberra ACT
Thank you for a fantastic trip with memories to last forever. Go tagalongtours.com.au !!
Wayne, Noble Park VIC
We enjoyed the trip immensely. Best wishes for future endeavours.
Gary & Pam, Bridgeman Downs QLD
Great trip Paul. Lots of family memories.
Andrew & Kevina & family, Scarborough QLD
We’ve had plenty of time to reflect on the trip to Cape York and really believe it to be one of the best experiences that we’ve had. The little dramas along the way helped us to get to know each other, work together and bond as a group. Thanks to you all for helping to make our trip a great one. A special thanks to you for your friendship and leadership. We look forward to meeting up somewhere in the bush some time in the future. All the best.
Tony and Sue, Kangaroo Island SA
